Pneumatic locking inflating tube for inflatable bodies



June 14,1932. 1 F L, MARREN 1,863,119

PNEUMATIC LOCKING INFLATING TUBE FOR INFLATABLE BODIES Filed Sept. 19. 1930 i, 1.1.4,1'ff

Patented June 14, 1932 PATENT OFFICE J AMES F. L. MARREN, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA PNEUMATICI LOCKING INFLATING TUBE FOR INFLATABLE BODIES Application filed September 19, 1930. Serial No. 483,083.

This invention relates to an improved pneumatic locking inflating tube Afor inflatable bodies, volley balls, punching bags, footballs, play balls, seat cushions and the ,U like, and especially where the inflatable body has a single casing though it may include a cover or protectingfskin for the body, and it is lthepurpose of the present invention to forma chamber adjacent the interior surface .10 of the inflatable body, adapted for the reception of an inflating tube communicating with the interior of the inflatable body at one end and having a flat extremity at its other end, tovbe withdrawn through an opening in the `l wall of the inflatable body so that the inflating rtube can be untwisted to allow the body to be inflated, so that after the body is inflated the tube can be twisted again and the flat end drawn back into the chamber, thereby locking the tube and preventing escape of the air.

Another purpose is to provide, in an article of manufacture of this kind, an inflatable body which is perfectly smooth and unobstructed on its outer surface, due to the inflating tube being housed in a chamber on the inner Vsurface of the inflatable body, in such wise as to cause no bulging of the wall of lthevbody,v thereby preventing the inflatable body if in the form of a foot or play ball, from rebounding at different angles, in case the ball should contact with the surface at a point where the inflating tube may be located. l

Another purpose is to provide a housing chamber on the inner surface of an inflatable body for encasing a twisted inflating tube, the latter having a flat end positioned within the chamber, to prevent the inflating tube from untwisting, Vand hence preventing the escape of air.

It is to be understood that the particulars herein given are in no way limitive, and that while still keeping within the scope of the invention, any desired modification of details and proportions maybe made in the construction of the appliance according to circumstances. Y The invention comprisesfurther features 50 and combination of parts to be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawing and claimed.

In the drawing Figure 1 is aview of a football, showing the usual outer section of leather, showing the usual laced opening for permitting access to the inner inflatable body for inflating the same.

Figure 2 is a sectional View on line 2-2cof Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view of a ball of anv inflated character, showing an elongated slot for permitting access to an inflating tube encased in a chamber formed on the inner surface of the wall of the ball.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view on line 5 5 of Figure 4. Y

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of a pneui matic cushion or sea-t, partly broken away, showing the improved pneumatic locking inflating tube as applied.

Referring to the drawing, l identifies an inllatable body, which may or may not be encased in an outer skin 2, as shown in Figures l and 2, provided the body is to be used as a football. y

Regardless of whether or not the inflatable body 1 is to be encased, it is provided with a chamber 3 adjacent the interior surface of the wall of the body. This chamber is caused to be formed by means of a patch 4, which may be fastened in any suitable manner at 5 to the inner surface of the body l, for example a vulcanized fastening may be used as a practical and substantial way of fastening the patch piece 4 in position.

The chamber 3 is adapted for housing a rubber inflating tube 6, one end 7 of which is fastened at 8 by vulcanizing to one end of the patch piece 4. The end 7 of the inflating tube, though it is fastened to the patch piece 4, communicates with the interior of the inflatable body l, so that air under pressure may be forced through the tube 6 for inating the body.

The inflating tube at its other end terminates in a nozzle 9, which is more or less flattened and is provided with a passage 10 com- 100 f condition, the wall of the body can be pinched up sufficiently to permit the flattened nozzle 9 (which may be constructed of any suitable material, preferably hard rubber) to pass through the opening 11 of the wall of the inflatable body 1. The flattened nozzle 9 protrudes sufficiently beyond the wall of the body 1 to allow it to be inserted in a persons mouth, whereby air may be forced into` the body. After the body has been inflatedsufficiently, the flattened nozzle may be turned over and over again sufficiently to impart a twist in the inflating tube, and as the tube twists, it starts to shorten or rather contract, and during this shortening orA contracting processr the flattened nozzle is drawn back through the opening 11, so that the nozzle will lie in the narrow chamber 3.V The twisting actionV of the inflating tube tends to draw the flat nozzle through the opening and into the chamber, and since' the body is inflated and the chambei` being of anarrow shape, at least one# half the width of the nozzle, it is obvious that the Ynozzle cannot turn in the chamber, therefore the inflating tube is prevented from untwisting, which in turn'prevents there'scape of air contained in the body 1.

Where the opening ll'is formed in the wall of the inflatable body and around the opening, the wall of the inflatable body is more or less thickenedjor reinforced as shown at 12 to strengthen the marginal edges of the opening, ,and thereby preventing the .same from unnecessarily tearing or otherwise rupturing. Y As shown in Figure 6, the flat nozzle 9 is provided with a threaded extension 13, which includes 'an inflating valve 111..' This threaded extension and inflating valve 14 is provided for. the purposeof attachingV the usual rubber hose of a pneumatic pump, so that in case the inflatableA body in Figure 6 be of a size equal toa mattress, so that such proportion of inflatable bodycan be inflated more conveniently and vwith 'greater ease, than where youV insert the nozzle9 in thermouth for-iniating footballs, play balls'and the like. They; preventing of theuntwisting of the inflating tube 6 is accomplished Adue tothe fact that the nozzle' 9 is relatively flat, and that the pressure of air on the'interior of the inflatable bo'dypresses the opposite walls of the chamber towardV each other. In other words, the pressure of air is'such as to force t-he Vpatch 4; toward the wall of the inflatable body. This action is an-obviousresult derived from scribed. y

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is :k f

` 1. An inflatable body having a single wall and providedl with a flattened-elongated the structure shown. and de- Athe ftube tocooperate Withthewalls of the chamber to prevent the tube from untwisting.

2. An linflatable bodyrhaving a single wall and provided with a flattened elongated chamber immediately adjacent its interior surface, an inilating tube housed in said chamber with one end fastened to one of the end walls ofsaid ychamber and communicating with the vinterior of the body, the other end i of the chamber having anelongated outlet opening and through which the inflating tube is adapted to extend, said tube adapted to be twisted to perform the double function of preventing escape of air from the body `and I drawing the end of the tube back into the chamber, and a flattened nozzle on the drawnin end of the tube for lying between the walls of the chamber, thereby preventing the Vinflating tube from untwisting. Y 3. The combination with an inflatable bod having a single wall, of an elongated relatively flat chamber adjacent the inner surface of the wall, an inflating tube twisted and located in said chamber with one end connected to one of the end Walls of the chamber and communicating with the interior of the body, and means at the other end of the inflating tube located between the opposing walls of I the chamber to prevent the inflating tube from untwisting. v v

4. The combination with an inflatable body having a single wall, of an elongated relatively flat chamber adjacent the inner surface of the wall, an inflating tube ltwisted and located in said chamber with one end'connected to one ofthe end walls of the chamber and communicating with the interior of the body, and means at the other end of the inl flating tube located between the opposing walls of the chamber to prevent the inflating tube from untwisting, the other end' of the chamber having an elongated opening through which said holding means may be inserted and positioned on the exterior of the body to allow the inflating tube to be untwisted. Y

5. As an article of manufacture, an inflatable body'having a single wall and an elongated chamber on its interior surface, an inflating tube housed in said chamber, one end of the chamber having an outlet opening formed in said wall connected to the inflating tube, which in turn communicates with the interior of the inflatable body, the other end of the chamber having an elongated opening, one end of the inflating tube being free and unattached, and means carried by the free and unattached end and engageable within the chamber to prevent the tube from untwisting, said means adapted to be withdrawn through the elongated opening to permit of inflation, the contracting of the inflating tube as it is twisted constituting means to draw said last mentioned means back into the chamber.

6. As an article of manufacture, an inflatable body having a single wall and an elongated chamber on its interior surface, an iniiating tube housed in said chamber, one end of the chamber having an outlet opening formed in said wall connected to the infiating tube, which in turn communicates with the interior of the inflatable body, one end of the inflating tube being free and unattached, and a flattened nozzle at the free and unattached end engageable between the walls of the chamber to prevent the inflating tube from untwisting, said nozzle adapted to pass through the elongated opening for inflating the body, the twisting of the inflating tube constituting means to draw the nozzle through the elongated opening.

7. As an article of manufacture, an inflatable body having a single wall provided on its interior surface with a chamber, a pneumatic twisted iniiating tube in the chamber communicating with the interior of the inflatable body, and one end of the inflating tube terminating in means lying fiat in said chamber to prevent the inflating tube from untwisting.

8. As an article of manufacture, an inliatable body having a single wall provided on its interior surface with a chamber, a pneumatic twisted inliating tube in the chamber communicating with the interior of the iniatable body, and means to prevent the inflating tube from untwisting, said last named means comprising a flattened nozzle to be positioned flat-wise in said chamber.

9. As an article of manufacture, an inflatable body having a single wall provided on its interior surface with a chamber, a pneumatic twisted inflating tube in the chamber communicating with the interior of the inliatable body, the inlet end of the infiating tube terminating in means lying flat in said chamber to prevent the tube from untwisting, said wall of the inflatable body adjacent one end of the chamber having an eXpansible opening to permit access to the nozzle, whereby the tube can be untwisted.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

JAMES F. L. MARREN. 

